Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 240?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 2402 x 1203 x 804 x 605 x 486 x 408 x 3010 x 2412 x 2015 x 16
Negative: -1 x -240-2 x -120-3 x -80-4 x -60-5 x -48-6 x -40-8 x -30-10 x -24-12 x -20-15 x -16


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 240?

Unfortunately, there's not simple formula to identifying all of the factors of a number and it can be a tedious process when trying to identify the divisors of larger numbers. To find the factor combinations of the number 240, it is easier to work with a table - it's called factoring from the outside in.

Outside in Factoring

We start by creating a table and writing 1 on the left side and then the number we're trying to find the factors for on the right side in a table. Then, below that, write the numbers as a negative as well.

1 240
-1 -240

Why are the negative numbers included?

When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 240.

Example:
1 x 240 = 240
and
-1 x -240 = 240
Notice both answers equal 240

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 240 and divide it by 2:

240 ÷ 2 = 120

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 120 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 120 240
-1 -2 -120 -240

Now, we try dividing 240 by 3:

240 ÷ 3 = 80

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 80 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 3 80 120 240
-1 -2 -3 -80 -120 -240

Let's try dividing by 4:

240 ÷ 4 = 60

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 60 are factors. In this case, the quotient is a whole number. Write them in the table inside the other two factors like the below example. Don't forget to write the negative numbers too!

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 2 3 4 60 80 120 240
-1 -2 -3 -4 -60 -80 -120 240
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

If you did it right, you will end up with this table:

12345681012151620243040486080120240
-1-2-3-4-5-6-8-10-12-15-16-20-24-30-40-48-60-80-120-240

More Examples

Here are some more numbers to try:

Try the factor calculator

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